Wwelcome to Fully eligible 2026GOLF’s new platform to provide you with real golfer insight into which 2026 equipment might be best for your game. To that end, we gathered six GOLF content creators of varying abilities and put them through the gauntlet of six full-bag rigs (from driver to bag!) at six major club manufacturers in Phoenix and Carlsbad, California. In this piece (below), Johnny Wunder details the one golf ball that transformed his game this year, the Callaway Chrome Tour X. You can browse our panelists’ complete dream bags for 2026 here:
Every company not only has its “best”, but that “best” goes all the way. YES, there are some parts where the volume isn’t up to ten (some hybrids, some iron groups, etc.), but overall it’s probably the most competitive year in recent memory.
However, for me, there was one device that stood out above the rest: it Callaway Chrome Tour X golf ball.
Of everything I’ve tested, played, loved, promoted and evangelized, this ball has gotten the most smoke. Why? It was the only piece of equipment that, when inserted into a mount, improved my performance numbers in a unique way. It’s not just me; see for yourself in this video with Charles Howell III. The results were laughable.
I did a test run for myself off-camera on most of my devices, where I would eventually switch to the Chrome Tour X and almost like Thanos snapping his fingers, the vibe would change. Ball speed INCREASED 2-4 MPH, launch down 1-2 degrees, spin retention was better, distribution tightened, and void suddenly organized.
Look, I’m 49 years old, 2 handicap, and in a line of work where I don’t get out very often. This ball was the first time (in a long time) that a piece of equipment eliminated any need for more testing on everything else. In gear, if a driver was close to the numbers, I’d get into a CTX at the bottom and the numbers went from good to “My God”.
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Callaway Chrome Tour X 2026 White Golf Balls
The Chrome Tour X is designed for exceptional tour performance with new speed technology for players who want maximum speed and ultimate control, outstanding distance, workability, spin and performance from tee to green. FAST: New Tour Fast Jacket The revolutionary new Tour Fast jacket uses a material that increases distance through an optimized core/layer system. CONSISTENT: Advanced Seamless Tour Aero Uniquely designed aerodynamic package is built for incredible distance and flight consistency on every shot. Precision Technology also ensures that each technology is meticulously measured through industry-leading production, over 150 million test points, to deliver ultimate consistency. CONTROL: Tour Level Urethane Cover This high performance cover is designed for incredible feel and control of the wedge.
This was just one recent example, and frankly, it was like this EVERYWHERE I went. What’s even cooler is that I can now start looking at iron kits that might be on the less forgiving side because the CTX actually raised my ceiling and my floor at the same time. This just doesn’t happen. Is it well out of range? On the course? Well, I’ve played six rounds of golf this year, both in tournaments (yes, that’s the truth). All rounds were in very windy conditions on tight, fast greens, and not once did I make a bogey or worse due to a lack of control in the wind: No floaters, no toe balls, nothing.
Some may think I’m biased because of my employment history… I’m not. The moment I left Callaway in 2025, I went right into the ballpark of their No. 1 competitor. 1 and spent a good summer with him. The moment I put the new CTX back into the mix, I literally went from a 49 year old trying for dear life to maintain ball speeds in the mid 160s, to now thinking 170 MPH is literally at my fingertips.
Give this a try. If you don’t, you’re not doing it right.
